Somaliland government actions have reduced road accidents

Halima Abdi -- Somalilalnd

Road  accidents are a major global problem and development concern, disproportionately affecting the developing countries.

Have you or someone you know ever been involved in a road accident?

If yes, you’ll definitely agree that it is one of the worst experiences for people involved.

Road accidents cause the deaths of 120,000 million people yearly injuring 140 others around the world.

Majority of these deaths about 70% occur in developing countries, 65%  of the deaths  are  pedestrians of whom  35% pedestrians deaths are children and over 10 million are crippled each year.

In 2000 an estimated 1.26 million people worldwide died as a result of road collisions, in 1998, road traffic injuries worldwide were the 9^th leading cause of death.

Sources say by 2020 road accident will be the third cause of premature deaths along with Aids and Malaria.

Somaliland has also experienced its share causing death sand injuries as shown in statistics  from Somaliland traffic report 2004 below.

Domestic animals have also been in road crushes in Somaliland roads mostly involving camels and goats but as the chart below shows their numbers have been decreasing

Why do accidents happen?

Research shows that 80% of road accidents  are caused by human error and nothing or little is done in ensuring safety on the roads.

Here in Somaliland accidents victims blame the government for allowing more cars in to the country.

I met Ibrahim Ali Gass a Taxi Driver for the past five years.

He said that since he started, accidents have ever been increasing.

Asked what might be causing it he said “Most of all unqualified persons behind the wheel.”

Ibrahim  pointing at the need for the vehicles to be repaired and checked by mechanics he said “I have only taken this car only once to a mechanic.”

Governments’  action  in  cracking down unroadworthy vehicles and unqualified  drivers have succeeded in reducing  road accidents in Somaliland as the graph below shows during the past three years.

Most victims in road  accidents  are passengers in public service vehicles, followed by pedestrians.

According to the Somaliland traffic report  the following  factors cause road accidents  in the country.

• Ignorance by Drivers
• Overloading of passengers and goods
• High speed
• Lack of road experience
• Drivers not understanding  road signs
• Narrow Roads
• The youth driving during the afternoon when their parents have parked their cars.

Economical Impact of Road accidents

Apart from causing injuries and death road accidents have a great economic impact .

A World Bank report states that road crushes cost approximately 3 percent of a country’s annual Gross National Product.

These are resources that no country can afford to lose, especially those with developing Economies. It is estimated that developing countries currently lose  $100 billion every year.

This is almost twice as much as the total development assistance received worldwide by the developing countries.

The 2004 World Health day Theme was “Road safety is no Accidents” this made Road Accidents A Health issue therefore as the Stake holders involve we are all facing the risk of road crushes we should pledge the permutation of our roads in to a much safer place.

With Accidents being the leading News item we need prompt change